Johanna Garton
Author Interview - Johanna Garton
Author of All in Stride
All in Stride is the gripping and inspiring story of American professional distance runners, Elvin Kibet and Shadrack Kipchirchir. The narrative takes readers from their upbringing in rural Kenyan villages through their journeys to the United States, their romance as college athletes and ultimately their service as U.S. soldiers and professional runners. The story examines issues of race/identity/gender/culture, explores the world of high-performance sports, and looks at the ever-changing landscape of what it means to be American.
Author Interview - Johanna Garton
Author I draw inspiration from:
Katherine Boo, Behind the Beautiful Forevers
Author Interview - Johanna Garton | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Reading chair with a cozy blanket
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Henrietta Lacks (The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot). I envision having so many questions for her that I'd never want the elevator doors to open.
Author Interview - Johanna Garton | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
When the stories I was telling through blogging seemed compelling enough and inspiring enough that I knew they needed a wider audience. This was in 2013 as I was writing about the experience of living with my family in China for one year.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
The touch and feel of a print book is unmatched. An ebook is transportable and allows me to enjoy a few sentences at a time. An audiobook allows the depth of voice to seep into the story.
The last book I read:
Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver. Didn't eat it up like so many others do with her work, but the characters were vivid and engaging.
Author Interview - Johanna Garton | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
Both mediums. Many, many pages of notes on my computer, which are eventually color coded to fit into the right chapters. At the very end of my writing, I put plot lines and character details on giant, wall-sized sticky notes so I can SEE everything come together.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Christine Boskoff, the main character in my last book, Edge of the Map. She was a badass mountaineer, but also knew how to relax, eat well and laugh.
Author Interview - Johanna Garton | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
In my previous iteration, I was an immigration attorney and I'd go back there in a second if I wasn't a writer.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
I mean...can you beat the 1980's??
Place I’d most like to travel:
Anywhere in Southeast Asia, again and again. The cuisine, the warmth of the people and the pace of life speak to my soul.
My signature drink:
Love a good hot toddy!
Favorite artist:
T Swift forever!
Number one on my bucket list:
Currently learning how to surf, and while I'm not very good yet, I'm determined to keep trying.
Find more from the author:
Instagram is @johannagartonbooks
About Johanna Garton:
Author Interview - Johanna Garton
Johanna Garton began running on the dirt roads surrounding her family's farmhouse in Wisconsin at age seven. She continued through college, where she competed for Syracuse University as a walk-on. She's run more than twenty marathons, including five finishes at the Boston Marathon. Her book Edge of the Map tells the story of American high altitude mountaineer Christine Boskoff and is currently being developed into a feature film. Johanna is a sportswriter and high school cross country coach who lives in Denver.
